The bioactive properties of olive (Olea europaea) fruits and olive oil are largely attributed to terpenoid compounds, including diverse triterpenoids such as oleanolic, maslinic and ursolic acids, erythrodiol, and uvaol. They have applications in the agri-food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Some key steps involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds are still unknown. Genome mining, biochemical analysis, and trait association studies have been used to identify major gene candidates controlling triterpenoid content of olive fruits. Here, we identify and functionally characterize an oxidosqualene cyclase (OeBAS) required for the production of the major triterpene scaffold ?-amyrin, the precursor of erythrodiol, oleanolic and maslinic acids, and a cytochrome P450 (CYP716C67) that mediates 2? oxidation of the oleanane- and ursane-type triterpene scaffolds to produce maslinic and corosolic acids, respectively. To confirm the enzymatic functions of the entire pathway, we have reconstituted the olive biosynthetic pathway for oleanane- and ursane-type triterpenoids in the heterologous host, Nicotiana benthamiana. Finally, we have identified genetic markers associated with oleanolic and maslinic acid fruit content on the chromosomes carrying the OeBAS and CYP716C67 genes. Our results shed light on the biosynthesis of olive triterpenoids and provide new gene targets for germplasm screening and breeding for high triterpenoid content.

OeBAS and CYP716C67 catalyze the biosynthesis of health-beneficial triterpenoids in olive (Olea europaea) fruits

Calderini Ornella;Cultrera Nicolo G M;Mousavi Soraya;Mariotti Roberto;Baldoni Luciana
2023

Abstract

The bioactive properties of olive (Olea europaea) fruits and olive oil are largely attributed to terpenoid compounds, including diverse triterpenoids such as oleanolic, maslinic and ursolic acids, erythrodiol, and uvaol. They have applications in the agri-food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Some key steps involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds are still unknown. Genome mining, biochemical analysis, and trait association studies have been used to identify major gene candidates controlling triterpenoid content of olive fruits. Here, we identify and functionally characterize an oxidosqualene cyclase (OeBAS) required for the production of the major triterpene scaffold ?-amyrin, the precursor of erythrodiol, oleanolic and maslinic acids, and a cytochrome P450 (CYP716C67) that mediates 2? oxidation of the oleanane- and ursane-type triterpene scaffolds to produce maslinic and corosolic acids, respectively. To confirm the enzymatic functions of the entire pathway, we have reconstituted the olive biosynthetic pathway for oleanane- and ursane-type triterpenoids in the heterologous host, Nicotiana benthamiana. Finally, we have identified genetic markers associated with oleanolic and maslinic acid fruit content on the chromosomes carrying the OeBAS and CYP716C67 genes. Our results shed light on the biosynthesis of olive triterpenoids and provide new gene targets for germplasm screening and breeding for high triterpenoid content.
2023
Istituto di Bioscienze e Biorisorse - IBBR - Sede Secondaria Perugia
bioactive compound
cytochrome P450
maslinic acid
oleanolic acid
olive oil
terpene
trait-associated marker
beta-amyrin synthase
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14243/461820
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